NORFOLK, Va. – A six-run first inning gave the hosts all they would need as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders fell to the Norfolk Tides (Baltimore Orioles) at Harbor Park on Monday night, 6-2.
The RailRiders enjoyed a brief advantage after Rob Refsnyder and Kyle Roller delivered back-to-back two-out hits for a 1-0 lead in the visiting first. Then came the home half of the frame.
Prospect starter Bryan Mitchell had not allowed more than five hits in a start this season. The Tides greeted the hard-throwing 24-year-old with six straight hits followed by a walk. A strikeout later, Paul Janish’s run-scoring single chased Mitchell. Joel De La Cruz emerged from the bullpen with the bases loaded and ended the frame by inducing a fly-ball double play on Julio Borbon’s sac fly to round out the scoring.
Norfolk starter Tyler Wilson (2-4) gave up only one other run over his 6.2 innings, a sixth-inning score courtesy of Tyler Austin’s double to deep center.
Patrick McCoy and Oliver Drake combined on 2.1 scoreless innings of relief to close out the Tides’ fifth straight win.
The three-game series continues on Tuesday night at 6:35 p.m. Rehabbing big leaguer Chris Capuano (0-1, 1.93) will make his second SWB appearance. Norfolk is scheduled to start the Orioles’ No. 8 prospect per Baseball America in right-hander Mike Wright (3-0, 2.64).
The RailRiders return home on Monday, May 18 to start a seven-game homestand with the first of three against the Charlotte Knights (Chicago White Sox). It will be a Dollar Dog Night with all hot dogs priced at $1. For tickets or more information, call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit the team’s website, www.swbrailriders.com.
OFF THE RAILS:
Three RailRiders relievers, Joel De La Cruz, Danny Burawa and Jose Ramirez combined to toss 7.2 innings of scoreless baseball. The trio allowed a combined four hits.
Slade Heathcott’s seventh-inning single in his final at-bat extended the team’s top active winning streak to nine games.
Tyler Austin’s resurgence continued with a 2-for-4 showing that included a double and an RBI.
Kyle Roller walked and posted his 14th RBI on a 1-for-3 night. He trails only Heathcott (15) for the team lead in RBIs.
Ramon Flores went 1-for-4. He has reached base safely in 20 of his last 21 games.
SWB turned a season-high four double plays.
The RailRiders had allowed just seven first-inning runs all season entering Monday night.
Manager Dave Miley called upon Rob Segedin as a ninth-inning pinch hitter in a left-right switch for Cole Figueroa. Norfolk manager Ron Johnson then made a mirror move with right-hander Oliver Drake taking southpaw Patrick McCoy’s spot. Segedin reached on a fielder’s choice. SWB pinch hitters have gone 1-for-4 this season.
You must be logged in to post a comment.